Hyvinvoinnin lähteillä

There are a lot of charity organizations these days, and one of the biggest ones focused on helping
children and youth is World Vision. At the heart of this organization is Christian love for others.
Their vision is that every child should have a chance in life and be part of a greater mission.
Improving living conditions for children in target countries and providing humanitarian aid to victims
of natural disasters and conflicts are just some of the tasks World Vision takes on. The main focus
is acting out of love for others, promoting hope and a sense of partnership.

World Vision started its work in Finland in 1983 when translator Ulla Tervo began a sponsorship for
a young boy in the Philippines. International sponsorship efforts, however, kicked off way earlier, in
the 1950s, thanks to an American correspondent and pastor, Bob Pierce. He began giving $5 a
month to help an orphaned girl in Asia, ensuring she could go to school and receive healthcare.
Even today, the organization helps nearly 2 million children worldwide, working with local partners
in places like Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Picture 1. Indonesia.

INTERNATIONAL COURSE AT THE DIACONIA COLLEGE IN HELSINKI
My thoughts go back to the fall of 1994 when I was studying an advanced studies in
internationalization of social welfare and health care at the Diaconia College in Helsinki. The
course covered a wide range of topics related to international development, like refugee work,
global systems, multiculturalism, the work environment in Europe, and world religions, as well as
language and communication.

After all the exams and lectures were done, there was still a six-week international practical
training ahead. My classmate Tarja (a radiographer) and I ended up choosing Indonesia as our
destination, specifically projects run by World Vision in Jakarta, Semarang, and Bali.
Our choice of destination surprised many since the organization wasn’t well known to most of our
fellow students or even to our teachers. World Vision wasn’t one of the institute’s typical aid
partners at that time.

After many phone calls, letters and telefaxes, we finally arranged with World Vision’s Jakarta office
to participate in their local aid projects, some of which were located in the slums around the city.

MEETINGS IN JAKARTA, A MULTICULTURAL METROPOLIS
After a long 17-hour flight, we arrived in the warm, tropical city of Jakarta, which immediately made
a huge impression on both me and my friend Tarja. With over 10 million residents, this huge
metropolis made Helsinki seem like a small town. Our next big surprise came when we got into a
taxi and navigated through Jakarta’s chaotic traffic, filled with thousands of cars and motorbikes.
Traffic in the city was noisy and overwhelming, so you have to take more time to move one place to
another.

The next day, we met with the staff at World Vision’s Jakarta office, who warmly welcomed us. We
brought a gift from Finland – an Oiva Toikka glass bird – which they greatly appreciated. After a
warm meeting, we continued to a large slum area near the city, where they had several projects in
progress.

Picture 2: Co-operation

We first visited a family whose smiling mother told us that thanks to World Vision’s help, one of
their children could attend school every day. During this visit, we also got to know two small
businesses supported by World Vision, one a small general little shop and the other a bicycle
repair shop in the slum.

Before we left the area, we took a closer look at a sewer and toilet improvement project that had
been started years ago. Improving the sewage system is essential for improving the living
conditions of those in the slums, helping to reduce health issues by preventing the spread of
diseases. We could already see several completed outdoor toilet buildings in the area.

IN THE JUNGLE AT SEMARANG
After a week, we moved on from Jakarta to Semarang, a city on the northern coast of Java, where
a local Catholic priest and his wife greeted us. Our mission was to visit a local orphanage run by a
Finnish woman. The personnel was mostly made up of foreign nurse-students doing volunteer
work. The location of the orphanage in the middle of the jungle, far from everything, surprised us,
even the Catholic priest was a bit confused by our plan to visit there.

Since we had brought along medicines, books, and small toys donated by the Diaconia college
Helsinki, we decided to go with our original plan and made the long journey to the orphanage deep
in the jungle.

Our stay there was short, though, as the living conditions were very basic. We slept in bunk beds,
the toilet was just a hole in the floor, and the showers were outdoors, with the sky as the roof.
Thankfully, we had mosquito nets with us, which we hung over the beds to protect ourselves from
mosquitoes, spiders, and small black geckos.

Picture 3: Courtyard

Our return from the jungle was quite an adventure. We traveled back to Semarang in several
different horse-drawn carts with our big suitcases. Once we got back to the city, all the emotions
from the trip came out, and we both cried some tears of relief. A warm shower, a nice hot meal at
the hotel, and even a sauna helped us recover our energy after the jungle adventure.

BACK IN FINLAND
With our experiences, we returned to Finland as the first students from the Diaconia college to visit
Indonesia World Vision. We gave a presentation at the college about our trip. We wore the batik
dresses and local wooden jewelry we had brought back from Jakarta to give the audience a little
taste of the Indonesian culture.

Now, twenty years later, it’s wonderful to see that World Vision’s work is still going strong, bigger
and better known in Finland and around the world. The need for aid hasn’t disappeared, and
support is still needed. The work continues with great heart, respecting human dignity and human
rights. The journey goes on.

WRITER:
Marjo Lomperi-Ääri, Student of Welfare and Health Coordinator Master’s Degree Program at
Savonia University of Applied Sciences (UAS)

SOURCES:
World Vision. https://www.worldvision.fi/meista/suomen-world-vision/. Referred. 15.10.2024
Jakarta, Indonesian capital. https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jakarta. Referred. 14.10.2024

Online meetings are here to stay. People often feel exhausted in online meetings. Therefore we all should, both for ourselves and for others, to take into account the common rules of the game, which help us survive in online meetings. By knowing and following the rules of the game is how we can manage our own work. Do we really know what makes us exhausted in online meetings? Can we change our working methods in online meetings so that we support our health and well-being? There are several instructions and checklists related to the topic, but there is usually no researched information behind them. However, there is still little research available on the effects of online meetings on wellbeing.

There are a few international studies on methods that promote the well-being of online meetings. For example, Shoshan and Werth’s study Understanding “Zoom fatigue”: A mixed-method approach investigated whether online meetings are more tiring than meetings held via other means of communication They also studied whether the duration of the online meeting, the number of participants or the presence of a supervisor affects the amount of fatigue. The term Zoom Fatigue, describes exhaustion in online meetings. According to the study, online meetings were experienced as more exhausting than meetings organized in other ways. (Shosan & Werth, 2021).

What exhausts us in online meetings?

Shosan’s and Werth’s (2021) study also collected information on what reduces the risk of burnout in online meetings. They noticed that in an online meeting with camera on, it’s as if we are constantly looking closely at each other, and it creates a similar feeling as if we were speaking to an audience that is staring at us. Usually, in face-to-face meetings, our gaze wanders among different people and objects and we don’t look at every participant all the time, and thus we don’t have the feeling that everyone is looking at us all the time. In online meetings, the number of glances is many times higher than in a face-to-face meeting. If the cameras are not in use, we have to work harder to replace nonverbal communication, because we don’t always see each other’s expressions or gestures (Bailenson J. 2021). If the camera is on, then being the object of attention is exhausting, and if the camera is not on, we use energy to interpret nonverbal communication. So in online meetings both the presence of the camera and the meetings without the camera burden us more than when attending the face-to-face meetings.

When nonverbal communication strains our thinking, we also strain through our eyes when we try to follow the events on the screen. Did you know that Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) occurs with excessive computer work? Eyes have to work harder if your computer has glare, reflections, low contrast, or poor resolution. Symptoms of CVS include blurred vision, dry and irritated eyes, eye fatigue and headaches. Healthy and safe display computer work is safety if the glare-free lighting of the work environment is good. For example, it is good to filter the light coming from the windows with blinds, curtains or window tinting or screen reflection protection. Or we can look for own sweet spot, i.e. viewing the display computer optimally, where the gaze is directed downwards and outwards. (CooperVision, 2024).

What really positively affects survival in online meetings?

A study by Shosan and Werth (2021) found that participants felt that good management and coordination of meetings helped them cope better. Well-planned meetings, where permission to speak is requested, are less tiring. In such meetings each participant is well prepared for the meeting, and care is taken to manage time and stay on topic. Also, the fact that only necessary people are present helps to avoid being exhausted. The more participants there were in the meeting studied, the heavier the meeting seemed. Taking breaks was also felt to be important.

Seija Moilanen’s blog published by the Finnish Occupational Safety and Health Center provides support and tips for the practical implementation of Shosan and Werth’s (2021) research results. Good preparation helps reduce the risk of getting tired. Agreeing on common rules of the game is important so that we participate equally. We can agree in advance on using the functions of the online meeting application or preparing for the use of the camera, and when camera can be turned off. It is good to schedule time for the meetings and be really present without simultaneously multitasking. It is also good to agree on taking breaks and telling about them in advance. Even in short online meetings there should always be time to take a short break. We should vary activities, share the material, as well as use chat and reaction functions such as thumbs up and hand clapping. It enables everyone to express their opinion. Let’s all attend as if we participate in face-to-face meetings by smiling and nodding, for example.

The guidelines for healthy and safe display computer work are also supported by the previously mentioned Shosan and Werth’s (2021) study, where it was found that the flawless functioning of the technology and the working space is a significant factor in reducing fatigue. Participants should have sufficient equipment and an environment suitable for working equally, for example in terms of lighting and good quality sound and image reproduction.

It’s not only what happens between us and computer what helps us really improve our well-being in online meetings

If we think that we can fiddle around at work and charge batteries in our spare time, let’s think again. Pesola, Pekkonen and Finni (2016) write ”Why is excessive sitting dangerous?” in their article that there is plenty of research evidence that excessive sitting is a health risk. Exercising in free time in accordance with the recommendations does not reduce sitting time. Increasing exercise does not affect all the mechanisms underlying the health risks of sitting, such as the increase in insulin resistance and the oxidation of muscle tissue. (Pesola, Pekkonen and Finni, 2016). So let’s remember to take a break and get up from the chair even in online meetings or, for example, go out and attend a meeting with headphones on.
Based on research data, we already can influence how to take care of our well-being in online meetings, but more information is still needed. The Working Life Research Center and Tampere University are launching a wide-ranging research project, where the aim is to find out the functionality and effects of different types of meetings from the perspective of the participants and organizers, and to produce suitable tools for the evaluation of meetings for the development of Finnish working life (Tampere University, publishing time unknown). So maybe soon we will get tips that suit the Finnish mentality, with which we can tune our online meetings to be effective and also take care of our work well-being.

But in fact, we already have a lot of effectiveness data. We can all influence our future working conditions and effectiviness in online meetings. We should follow together agreed ground rules and take care of our own well-being in the ways we know to be effective. We should also participate in researches of this topic, if there is chance to do so and that way promote amount of information of effective online meeting habits.

Here are some tips based on research evidence to promote coping in online meetings:
• Good preparation.
• Agreeing advance on common game rules.
• Agreeing advance on using the functions and turning on or off the camera.
• Reserve time and avoid overlapping.
• Vary what you do and how you share the material.
• Use chat and reaction functions, such as thumbs up and hand clapping, to express their opinion.
• Participate, smile and nod like in attendance meetings.
• Take note lighting and resolution, the center of the screen 5-10 cm below the eyes and 50-70 cm away from the face.
• Eye rest every two hours and looking away from the screen every 20 minutes.
• Good network connections and optimal working environment.
• Take a break, move and go outside for a meeting.

Writers

Annukka Tuovinen and Marika Lätti, Students of Welfare and Health Coordinator Master’s Degree Programme at Savonia University of Applied Sciences  

Jaana Hämäläinen, Pirjo Pehkonen and Sanna Savela, Lecturers at Savonia University of Applied Sciences 

Sources

Arto J. Pesola, Mika Pekkonen ja Taija Finni. 2016. Article; Why is excessive sitting dangerous? Medical journal Duodecim 2016;132(21): 1964-71. https://www.duodecimlehti.fi/duo13381.
Accessed 3.3.2024.

Finnish Occupational Safety and Health Center, 2022. Seija Moilanen`s blog 19.5.2022. https://ttk.fi/2022/05/19/kohdataan-verkossa-2/. Accessed 10.3.2024.

Bailenson Jeremy N. 2021. Nonverbal Overload: A Theoretical Argument for the Causes of Zoom Fatigue. Online publication. Published 23.2.2021. Nonverbal Overload: A Theoretical Argument for the Causes of Zoom Fatigue · Volume 2, Issue 1 (apaopen.org). Accessed 10.3.2024.

CooperVision, 2024. Computer Vision Syndrome: new problem nowdays. https://coopervision.fi/silmien-hoito-terveys/nayttopaatenakohairio-uuden-ajan-uusi-ongelma. Accessed 18.3.2024.

Shosan Nesher & Wehrt Wilken, 2021. Understanding ”Zoom fatigue”: A mixed method approach. Online publication. Published 1.11.2021. Understanding “Zoom fatigue”: A mixed‐method approach – Nesher Shoshan – 2022 – Applied Psychology – Wiley Online Library. Accessed 20.3.2024.

University of Tampere publication date unknown. From palaverism to productive meetings. Online publication. Palaverismista tuottaviin kokouksiin | Tampereen korkeakouluyhteisö (tuni.fi). Accessed 25.3.2024.

What are the real benefits and impacts of pets among employees? Can we find new ways to help employees recover from work better and faster? Is there a way to reduce mental health problems among working-age? For a long time, there has been discussion and research about the effects of animal assistance on client well-being. Could we use this information to improve also occupational health in all workplaces? For some people, these best friends are the benefits of the work but at the same time, some coworkers cannot stand any animals at the workplace.
People’s experiences with animals in the workplace have been studied recently. Qualitative research is often used to describe and analyze experiences with animals, so evaluating the effectiveness is a little more challenging. Measuring effectiveness is usually associated with quantitative research (Vataja 2020).

Jane at work. Photo: Lis-Mari Kivelä.

Advantages for well-being

One of many ways to increase occupational well-being effectiveness is the arrival of pets at the workplace. A cat or dog isn’t only an animal, but a member of a family.  It’s also a way to combine the worker’s working life and leisure. There is evidence in the research that pets improve their owner’s productivity and enhance creativity. The animal’s presence decreases stress and for example, reduces blood pressure. In addition, pets can contribute to the interaction with other employees. It has been noticed that people are more friendly to others when there are pets around. This may be significant to the organization’s image and even bring more customers. (Wilkin, Fairlie & Ezzedeen 2016, 96–109; Foreman, Glenn, Meade & Wirth 2017, 498.) The employer’s positive approach to pets has added to the interest in the workplace. It has been noted that a pet-friendly workplace could manage recruitment better. Some will choose a job with a lower salary than a workplace that forbids animals. The permit of pets can contribute to the growth in productivity and the employee’s commitment to the company. Employees are less absent from work and they also have greater satisfaction with the job. (Wilkin, Fairlie & Ezzedeen 2016, 96–109; Foreman, Glenn, Meade & Wirth 2017, 498.)
Junca-Silva (2023, 3) developed the so-called Furr-recovery method and integrated it into micro-breaks. The studies show that taking a short recovery break from work is even more effective if you can take it with your furry friend. Micro-breaks that include animal interaction help recover energy, regulate emotions and minimize the effects of negative events. Animals also detach employees from work better than for example just a normal coffee break, so micro-brakes are more efficient. (Junça-Silva 2023, 3). It is acknowledged that the urge to touch a pet can even be a biological need and neuroscience studies show that even looking or talking to a dog releases oxytocin and reduces feelings of fear or anxiety. (Junça-Silva 2022, 5).

Potential challenges

When the management of the organization allows animals in the workplace, certain things must be taken into account. Some legislation must be followed at the workplace and insurance issues must be clear. If the property is rented, permission must be asked from the property owner. For example, a dog may cause dangerous situations by accidentally knocking people over. If the animal causes danger in the workplace, the owners are always responsible for their animal. Just like humans, animals also need breaks from work. The rest area should be peaceful and fresh water should be available there. Employees must know how to observe the signs of stress in the animal. (Hautamäki, Ramadan & Vilhunen 2021, 33–34; Nevala 2022, 45-50.) Some people don’t like pets or animals in general. For them, dogs in offices, restaurants, or shops is almost an unbearable thought. There might be some fear, some diseases, or other bad experiences with the dogs. They cannot be blamed for that. If a person has a bad memory about someone’s four-legged friend, there’s no help if the owner says that my Hannibal is such a nice fellow, you don’t need to scare him at all. Or there might be some serious allergies, which can activate from small amounts of animal dandruff. Luckily, research indicates that allergies are quite a small threat. Dogs visit elderly homes, hospitals, and other public places and the benefits are greater than the risks for any disease to activate. (Yleisradio 2018.)

Conclusion

Qualitative research shows clearly that pets in the workplace have more advantages than disadvantages. Now that we have opened the discussion about whether or not pets should be allowed in the workplace, should there be a discussion about what all we can bring to the workplace next? Maybe kids or elderly? Should this be mentioned in the job advertisement? Is it the future that animals are already talked about in job advertisements? Can the employer ask in a job interview if you like animals?

So, it needs much talking in our communities about the rules of the game, and what is allowed in our shared places and what is not.

Writers 

Miia Hallikainen, Sari Hoffren, Sini Karhunen, Päivi Parviainen & Anu Särkkä, Students of Welfare and Health Coordinator Master’s Degree Programme at Savonia University of Applied Sciences 

Jaana Hämäläinen, Pirjo Pehkonen and Sanna Savela, Lecturers at Savonia University of Applied Sciences   

Sources

Foreman, Anne, M., Glenn, Margaret, K., Meade, Jean, B. & Wirth, Oliver 2017. Dogs in the Workplace: A Review of the Benefits and Potential Challenges. International journal of environmental research and public health 14, 498. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14050498. Accessed 5.2.2024.
Hautamäki, Lotta, Ramadan, Farid & Vilhunen, Tuuli 2021. Millainen on hyvä eläinavusteinen interventio? Käsikirja eläinavusteisten menetelmien laadukkaaseen toteuttamiseen eri toimintaympäristöissä. Kansaneläkelaitos. http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2021061738238. Accessed 14.2.2024.
Junça-Silva, Ana 2002. Unleashing the Furr-Recovery Method: Interacting with Pets in Teleworking Replenishes the Self’s Regulatory Resources: Evidence from a Daily-Diary Study. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010518. Accessed 8.2.2024.
Junça-Silva, Ana 2023. ´Pawing’ uncertainty! how dogs attenuate the impact of daily hassles at work on uncertainty. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-023-01295-z. Accessed 8.2.2024.
Nevala, Niina 2022. Toimistokoirien merkitys työntekijöiden kokemaan työhyvinvointiin. Johtamisen ja organisoinnin pro gradu-tutkielma. Turun yliopisto. https://www.utupub.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/154300/nevala_niina_opinnayte.pdfsequence=1. Accessed 14.2.2024.
Wilkin, Christa, L., Fairlie, Paul & Ezzedeen, Souha R. 2016. Who let the dogs in? A look at pet-friendly workplaces. International Journal of Workplace Health Management 9 (1), 96–109. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJWHM-04-2015-0021. Accessed 5.2.2024.
Vataja Katri. 2020. Vaikuttavuusarviointia monimutkaiseen maailmaan. Sitra. https://www.sitra.fi/artikkelit/vaikuttavuusarviointia-monimutkaiseen-maailmaan/. Accessed 9.2.2024.
Yleisradio 2018. Toimistokoira voi luoda työpaikalle rennon ilmapiirin – ”Ennemmin positiivinen ongelma kuin työajan syöppö”. Published 16.1.2018. https://yle.fi/a/3-9954229. Accessed 12.1.2024.

Children’s behavioral issues are quite common, but usually, the children learn to manage their emotions and control their behavior. However, in some cases, this development does not occur, and conduct disorders are recognized in childern in different ways. (Aronen 2016.) These behavioral problems and conduct disorders require a lot of resources from the family. Parents may be at a loss as to what should be done.

The generally increased search for information has caused people, among other things, more health anxiety. Regarding parenting, the information available online can bring certainty to parenting, but the disadvantage is also the confusion, stress and weakened confidence in one’s own parenting skills caused by the flood of information. (Glatz & Lippold 2023.) For example, grandparents may negatively stir the pot with confusing and out-of-date information, and the help and tips on internet forums encourage operating models that do not necessarily have a scientific basis.

When searching for information, we should be critical of the source and focus on scientific studies, because health information found on the internet can often be misleading and incomplete (Peng 2022). The question really is, where can we get scientific and effective support for a child’s behavioral disorders? The Voimaperheet – method could be helpful and solve challenging situations and make life easier for the whole family.

Conduct disorders – what do they mean?

Stretching boundaries and expressing defiance are part of normal child development.  However, conduct disorders are complex disorders characterized by long-term antisocial, violent, or defiant behavior. Behind the child’s behavior may be trauma experiences, depression, or neuropsychiatric problems. Severe conduct disorders can cause dangerous situations at home and school and raise fears about how to deal with the problems. It is important that the child and his or her family receive help in time.

Conduct disorders can show up as fighting, bullying, tantrums, or aggressive behavior. Symptoms may also include minor resistance to authority, rudeness, and inability to cooperate. Aggressive behavior can be targeted at adults, objects, or other children.

By improving and strengthening children’s emotional, interaction, and problem-solving abilities, it is possible to prevent the emergence of children’s conduct disorders.  Also providing support for factors that increase the risk of developing conduct disorders is proven to be effective. (Puustjärvi and Repokari 2017.)

An effective way to treat conduct disorders is structured guidance for parents to support their and their children’s positive relationship and strengthen positive behavior. For older children the most effective ways to help and prevent those disorders are those psychosocial interventions directed to their parents and networks. The conclusion is that we shouldn’t be left alone when having issues with the child’s behaviour or the relationship when there is much information and many methods to be used. (Käypähoito -suositus 2018.)

Power Families – The Voimaperheet parent training intervention method

The Voimaperheet intervention method was developed for professionals as a tool to support parents whose children have difficulties with behaviour, defiance, concentration, or attention. The method was developed together with the Research Centre for Child Psychiatry at the University of Turku in cooperation with a Canadian research group and primary health care. The Voimaperheet intervention method includes parental guidance, which is implemented as web-based guidance regardless of time and place. In Finland, the method is used in maternity and child health clinics, family counselling clinics, early childhood education and care and schools, and professionals are trained for the work. Parents can get help raising their children at home through a remote service, making it easier to participate even from the comfort of one’s own home. Power family coaches can call or remotely contact parents. In the Power Families model, the evidence of effectiveness is good. A comparative study has shown that children who participated in the Voimaperheet intervention have fewer psychiatric diagnoses and that functional disorders have decreased significantly compared to the control group. The pilot study was carried out in the context of the four-year audit using a questionnaire between 2010 and 2011. In the study, remote treatment of children’s behavioural problems was successful, behavioural problems were reduced and parenting skills improved significantly. (Kasvun tuki sinne anno.)

Don’t be left alone

Recognizing children’s conduct disorders and the right guidance methods for parents affect the well-being of the whole family. Getting help for a family is possible with a low threshold in the midst of the rush of everyday life. As a parent, we should have the courage to discuss our child’s conduct disorders with a health care professional. Studies have shown that effective help is available for parenting challenges, so no one needs to be left alone with those.

Writers 

Saija Manninen, Meri Leinonen, Saara Väisänen and Jenni Kinnunen, Health and Welfare Coordinator- students

Jaana Hämäläinen, Pirjo Pehkonen and Sanna Savela, Lecturers at Savonia University of Applied Sciences   

References

Aronen, Eeva 2016. Lasten häiriökäyttäytyminen. Lääketieteellinen aikakauskirja Duodecim. 2016;132(10):961-6. https://www.duodecimlehti.fi/duo13145 Accessed 26.3.2024.

Glatz, Terese, Lippold, Melissa A 2023. Is more information always better? Associations among parents’ online information searching, information overload, and self-efficacy. International Journal of Behavioral Development 2023, Vol. 47(5) 444–453. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/01650254231190883 Accessed 13.2.2024.

Kasvun tuki sinne anno. Voimaperheet. Website. https://kasvuntuki.fi/menetelmat/voimaperheet/#Menetelmnkuvaus. Accessed 16.2.2024.

Käypähoito-suositus 2018. Käytöshäiriöt (lapset ja nuoret). Suomalaisen Lääkäriseuran Duodecimin, Suomen lastenpsykiatriyhdistyksen, Suomen nuorisopsykiatrisen yhdistyksen ja Suomen Psykiatriyhdistyksen Nuorisopsykiatrian jaoksen asettama työryhmä. Helsinki: Suomalainen Lääkäriseura Duodecim, 2018. Available online: Käytöshäiriöt (lapset ja nuoret) (kaypahoito.fi). Accessed 21.2.2024.

Peng, Rachel X, 2022. How online searches fuel health anxiety: Investigating the link between health-related searches, health anxiety, and future intention. Computer in Human Behavior Volume 136, 107384. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0747563222002060 Accessed 13.2.2024.

Puustjärvi, Anita ja Repokari, Leena 2017. Lasten käytöshäiriöihin tulee puuttua ajoissa. Lääkärilehti 21/2017 vsk 72s. 1364 – 1369. Article. http://www.laakarilehti.fi.ezproxy.savonia.fi/tieteessa/katsausartikkeli/lasten-kaytoshairioihin-tulee-puuttua-ajoissa/. Accessed 13.2.2024.

Turun yliopisto. Voimaperheet – digitaaliset ohjelmat lasten ja perheiden hyvinvoinnin tukena. Website. https://sites.utu.fi/voimaperheet/. Accessed 16.2.2024.

“Human distress is real”, says the mother who lost her child to suicide. The girl was a victim of bullying at school for 2,5 years before she finally committed suicide. (Julkunen 2023.) Unfortunately, this kind of news has become more and more common in the media recently.

The 2023 School Health Survey in Finland reveals that the number of children, who are bullied in school at least once a week, is rising. Slightly less than one in ten pupils in 4., 5., 8. and 9.graders have experienced bullying. Something that was also notable was the fact that over 21% of 8. and 9. graders had experienced a potential threat of violence. (Opetushallinto 2023.) Information on the wellbeing of school-age children is collected in Finnish school health surveys and each school’s own well-being and bullying surveys. Is there anything schools can do to intervene in bullying and promote the wellbeing of children at school?

Bullying has long-term impacts on a person’s life

Bullying in childhood is a worldwide known problem, which affects human health, mental health and relationship issues.  Bullying is recognized to have far-reaching consequences for adulthood at the psychological, physiological and social levels. For example, the after-effects can appear as self -esteem, body image and mental health challenges in adulthood. Childhood bullying has also been found to be associated with the development of post-traumatic stress reactions. (Delara 2018, 1 & 18.)

So what leads one to be bullied and what the root causes of bullying might be? Bullying as a phenomenon is complex and that is the reason why it is so challenging to pinpoint a single explanation for it. Bullying situations involve many emotions for all parties, and this is often shown as an inability to empathize and understand another person’s feelings even though that would often be what is most needed.

KiVa – effective anti-bullying program in Finnish schools

KiVa anti-bullying program has a huge impact in Finland and many other countries against bullying. More than 900 schools in Finland participate in the KiVa School program and it is also used in more than 20 other countries. (KiVa Antibullying Program 2024b.)

To prevent bullying, it requires commitment and consistency from adults throughout the school and community to create an anti-bullying climate and culture. One effective way to tackle bullying is KiVa School program applied in most schools in Finland. KiVa has clear guidelines based on evidence and research on how to intervene in bullying at school. Throughout the year, schools systematically run KiVa lessons aimed at influencing the norms of groups of pupils and how children and young people act if they perceive bullying.  KiVa also provides schools with tools, teaching materials, games and other activities for year-round use, so that they prevent and intervene in bullying but also monitor the situation in their school through annual online surveys and feedback. There are also materials for parents. (KiVa Antibullying Program 2024a.)

The Kiva School program has received international awards. The effectiveness of KiVa was studied in extensive studies already in 2007-2009. Since 2009, data has been collected through student and staff surveys from schools participating in the KiVa School program around Finland. The implementation of the KiVa School program has reduced bullying and increased well-being at school. (Kaarttinen 2022; Munukka & Kurki 2019).

The research results show that bullying and being bullied among 4.-6. graders decreased by 30-40% in KiVa schools already in the first year, says Christina Salmivalli, a professor at the University of Turku and the founder of KiVa. According to Salmivalli, the number of bullies in schools that have participated in KiVa for several years has decreased. However, this study was conducted almost 10 years ago, and no comparison between non-program and KiVa schools has been made since then. Even though research of impacts is still in progress. Salmivalli talks about an upcoming study that will study the situation of those who participated in KiVa program in 2007–2009, now aged 20–30, from the perspective of coping with bullying. (Kaarttinen 2022; Munukka & Kurki 2019).  

Salmivalli says that according to studies, Kiva school program activities were more effective in primary school than in secondary school. In some ways, it is easier to influence younger people and change their behavior and practices. Bullying will never be completely eradicated; aggression is unfortunately part of human nature. But mitigating the impacts and increasing understanding is an effective way to try to change ideas, Salmivalli says. (Sutton, 2014).  

As already noted, bullying is a notoriously common phenomenon. The vast majority of people, regardless of age, have some contact with bullying.  Bullying does not only affect the victim and immediate family, but its effects extend to the bullies, the bystanders and the community as a whole. Intervention at bullying is everyone’s responsibility and the most effective action of all is for people to have the courage to tackle bullying and to be aware that bullying is not just confined to school, and that bullying prevention is not just for school staff. Co-operation with actors outside of the school increases effectiveness in anti-bullying work.

Even though there is undeniable scientific evidence of KiVa, why do we still need to address this? Simply because it’s not only anti-bullying program but also at the same time builds a positive learning environment and supports the well-being of students in various ways. Because the KiVa programme has a proven positive impact both in working against bullying and in creating positive environments for schools, could its potential be extended beyond the school setting? 

Writers

Miia Pentikäinen, Sini Poutala & Sonja Suominen, Students of Welfare and Health Coordinator Master’s Degree Programme at Savonia University of Applied Sciences  

Jaana Hämäläinen, Pirjo Pehkonen and Sanna Savela, Lecturers at Savonia University of Applied Sciences    

References:

DeLara, Ellen W 2018. Consequences of Childhood Bullying on Mental Health and Relationships for Young Adults. Journal of Child and Family Studies. 2018 (8). https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ellen-Delara/publication/326961037_Consequences_of_Childhood_Bullying_on_Mental_Health_and_Relationships_for_Young_Adults/links/5b6e0aab45851546c9fa454e/Consequences-of-Childhood-Bullying-on-Mental-Health-and-Relationships-for-Young-Adults.pdf. Accessed 22.01.2024.

Julkunen, Emmi 2023. Olivian, 15, traaginen tarina leviää somessa. Ilta-Sanomat article. 12.09.2023. https://www.is.fi/kotimaa/art-2000009844989.html. Accessed 22.01.2024.

Kaarttinen, Toni 2022. https://www.pelastusarmeija.fi/uutisia/uutiset/kiva-koulu-tehokas-tyokalu-koulukiusaamista-vastaan Accessed 27.3.2024.

KiVa Antibullying Program 2024a. Mikä on KiVa? https://www.kivakoulu.fi/kivaohjelmasta/  Accessed 12.1.2024.

KiVa Antibullying Program 2024b. Tutkimus ja vaikuttavuus. https://www.kivakoulu.fi/tutkimus/ Accessed 12.1.24.

Munukka Jouni & Kurki Riikka 2019, Ylistettyä Kiva koulu-ohjelmaa käytetään jopa vahingollisella tavalla: ”Jättää aikamoisia traumoja kiusatulle”.  https://yle.fi/aihe/artikkeli/2019/01/09/ylistettya-kiva-koulu-ohjelmaa-kaytetaan-jopa-vahingollisella-tavalla-jattaa Accessed 3.2.2024.

Opetushallitus 2023. Kouluterveyskysely 2023: Kouluilla ja oppilaitoksilla on näköalapaikka lasten ja nuorten hyvinvointiin. News 21.09.2023. https://www.oph.fi/fi/uutiset/2023/kouluterveyskysely-2023-kouluilla-ja-oppilaitoksilla-nakoalapaikka-lasten-ja-nuorten. Accessed: 12.01.2024.

Pixabay 2023. Picture: Together we are more. Picture is published in picturebank 1.1.2023. https://www.istockphoto.com/fi/valokuva/tiimity%C3%B6k%C3%A4det-syd%C3%A4n-ja-monimuotoisuuskumppanuus-liikemiesten-tuki-tai-gm1448698670-486124424 Accessed: 9.4.2024.

Sutton Jon. 2014. Interview: Kiva against bullying. https://www.bps.org.uk/psychologist/interview-kiva-against-bullying. Accessed 3.2.2024.

Multiculturalism and internationalization of nursing practice is a key area in nursing education. The goal is the internationalization of Finnish education, to which universities and universities of applied sciences invest. The number of immigrant clients, which are related to refugee status, alienation, feeling of being outside and marginality, is considered a challenge to the multicultural trend in Finnish nursing. 

Often when an employee encounters a patient from a foreign culture, they usually only notice the visible part, such as gender, age, skin color, language or clothing.

When a person moves to a new living environment, almost everything changes in their life. Social relationships are largely broken and the culture and language are completely new. The rules of society usually differ from the previous ones, which means that people’s abilities and merits are not necessarily valued. 

Often when an employee encounters a patient from a foreign culture, they usually only notice the visible part, such as gender, age, skin color, language or clothing. However, multicultural nursing work should take into account the patient’s cultural identity, values, worldview, beliefs and cultural customs. In addition, also his individual needs and native language. 

Picture 1: Iceberg model of multicultural nursing. Picture: Senja Tuppurainen

Every patient has the right to high-quality health care and medical care. Treatment must be organised in such a way that the patient is treated with respect for his or her beliefs and privacy and that his or her dignity is not violated. It should be taken into account that everyone’s perception of health and illness and what is considered acceptable treatment practice is always fundamentally influenced by cultural values. 

Picture 2: A healthcare professional must ensure that the patient receives sufficient information in an understandable manner. Picture: Senja Tuppurainen

In Finland, the use of interpretation services in the social and health care sector has increased considerably due to the growth of immigration. According to Finnish legislation, immigrants have the right to interpretation services and the right to use their native tongue in certain situations. The patient must be given a report on his or her state of health, the significance of the treatment, the different treatment options and their effects, as well as everything related to treatment that is relevant to decisions on his or her treatment. A health care professional must ensure that the patient receives sufficient information in an understandable manner. An interpreter commissioned by the authorities must always be used as an interpreter at a health care appointment, and the interpretation may not be, for example, the patient’s foreign-language child.   

Blog Writers:

Tuula Airaksinen and Senja Tuppurainen Welfare and Health Coordinator -student from Savonia UAS. 

REFERENCES:

Abdelhamid, Pirkko, Juntunen, Anitta & Koskinen, Liisa 2010. Monikulttuurinen hoitotyö. Helsinki: WSOYpro Oy.

Karjalainen, Anna Liisa & Wallenius-Penttilä, Kristiina 2020. Eri tavoin kommunikoivien kohtaaminen sosiaali- ja terveysala työssä. Diak opetus61. Tampere: PunaMusta Oy.

Laki potilaan asemasta ja oikeuksista, 17.8.1992/785. Viitattu 8.8.2024. Saatavissa: https://finlex.fi/fi/laki/ajantasa/1992/19920785. 

Saukkonen, Pasi 2020. Suomi omaksi kodiksi: kotouttamispolitiikka ja sen kehittämismahdollisuudet. Helsinki: Gaudeamus.

Artikkeli liittyy Sosionomi YAMK-opinnäytetyöhöni, jonka aiheena oli työhyvinvoinnin kehittäminen kotihoidossa.

Haasteet

Kotihoitoon tullaan tarvitsemaan tulevaisuudessa hoitajia, koska asiakasmäärä tulee kasvamaan paljon. Väestö vanhenee ja muistisairaudet lisääntyvät samalla, kun asumispalvelupaikkoja vähennetään. Lisäksi lähihoitajia kouluttautuu entistä vähemmän ja hoitajista on pula. Hoitoala ei houkuttele ja kotihoitoon on ollut vaikea saada koulutettua hoitohenkilökuntaa.

Työyhteisötaidot

Työ kotihoidossa on vaativaa. Asiakkaat ovat monisairaita ja työ on itsenäistä, joten se vaatii vahvaa päätöksentekotaitoa. Vaativat asiakkaat tai omaiset tuovat omat haasteensa työhön. Myös työyhteisössä voi ilmetä ristiriitoja työtovereiden kesken. Nämä haasteet luokitellaan työyhteisötaitoihin liittyviin asioihin. Näitä taitoja voidaan harjoitella ja tärkeää on luoda yhteiset pelisäännöt, joita noudatetaan. Positiivinen ajattelu sekä huumori koettiin auttavan työhyvinvoinnin ylläpitämisessä.

Työnorganisointi

Merkittävä keino vaikuttaa työhyvinvontiin on työnorganisointi. Kotihoidon työt jaetaan hoitajille työnohjausjärjestelmään eli mobiilin joko keskitetyssä työnjaossa tai omassa yksikössä omien työntekijöiden toimesta. Tärkeintä on, että työnjako toimii hyvin. Työntekijällä on oltava realistinen mahdollisuus suorittaa asiakaskäynnit työajan puitteissa.  Lisäksi asiakkaan on saatava hoito- ja palvelusuunnitelman mukainen palvelu. Lisäksi on tärkeää, että hoitajan on mahdollista käydä työvuoron aikana tauoilla ja että työnjaossa on huomioitu siirtymiset asiakaskäynniltä toiselle. Muuten hoitajalle syntyy kiireen tunne tai eettistä kuormitusta. Ylityö on kotihoidossa merkittävä työhyvinvointia heikentävä tekijä.

Esihenkilötyö

Johtamisella on merkittävä osuus yhteisön työhyvinvointiin. Tasa-arvon ja oikeudenmukaisuuden kokemus ovat tärkeimmät asiat, jotka jokaisen tulee kokea. Osallisuus työvuoro- ja lomasuunnitteluun nähdään erittäin tärkeänä, vaikka esihenkilö lopuksi ne hyväksyvät. Esihenkilöllä on tärkeä rooli tiedottamisessa ja tärkeää on, että kaikki saavat tiedon yhtä aikaa ja samanlaisena. Palautteen antamista toivotaan enemmän ja avoimemmin.

Kirjoittaja
Tanja Lappalainen, Sosionomi YAMK, Savonia-ammattikorkeakoulu, tanja.lappalainen2@edu.savonia.fi.

Lähteet

Kehusmaa, Alastalo 2022. Vanhuspalvelujen työvoimapula kärjistyy kotihoidossa – neljännes yksiköistä tekee joka viikko töitä riittämättömällä henkilöstöllä ja ylityöt ovat yleisiä. Tutkimuksesta tiiviisti. THL. Saatavissa: Vanhuspalvelujen työvoimapula kärjistyy kotihoidossa – neljännes yksiköistä tekee joka viikko töitä riittämättömällä henkilöstöllä ja ylityöt ovat yleisiä (julkari.fi)

Selander, Kirsikka; Nikunlaakso, Risto & Laitinen, Jaana 2023. Työn kuormitus- ja voimavaratekijät: miten ylläpidetään vanhuspalveluissa työskentelevien työkykyä? Työelämän tutkimus 21 (2) 2023. Saatavissa: Työn kuormitus- ja voimavaratekijät: Miten ylläpidetään vanhuspalveluissa työskentelevien työkykyä? | Työelämän tutkimus (journal.fi).